Chamber to defend Mitch McConnell on air

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is launching a heavy TV ad buy in defense of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, the latest turn in the establishment’s move to shore up GOP candidates against hard-right opponents, POLITICO has learned.

The Chamber placed a $182,240 statewide buy on broadcast TV from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12, three media-buying sources said.

Since the government shutdown last month, Chamber officials have become more vocal about pushing back against tea party candidates who are seen as long shots in a general election. Representatives of the business lobby did not respond to requests for comment.